DRIVERS were furious after their cars were towed without warning.
New Jersey residents complained that there were no signs warning restaurant customers about strict parking rules.
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Police told customers at Tommy’s Tavern + Tap on Route 9 in Freehold Township that they could only park in the parking lot in front of the restaurant.
“We understand there was some outrage over vehicles being towed from the parking lot adjacent to Tommy’s Tavern & Tap and the excessive fees charged,” the Freehold Township Police Department said. he said in a Facebook update last year.
“To be clear, these vehicles are NOT being towed by the Freehold Township Police Department, but by a private towing company acting on behalf of the Property Management Company.
“This company is NOT AFFILIATED with the Police Department or Tommy’s Tavern & Tap,” the department said.
Officers told anyone who had their vehicle towed and had to pay excessive fees to contact their local Sgt.
According to the police update, outraged residents complained that towing companies were charging hundreds of dollars – and that there was no clear signage to warn them about parking risks.
“Thank you for posting this! I’m so glad it caught your attention,” one Facebook user posted.
“They are charging over $1,000 per vehicle with unclear signage!”
“Good morning, has this problem been resolved yet? This towing company is still towing cars and holding them hostage until you pay an astronomical amount of money,” wrote another.
What to do if your car is towed
Unfairly or not, recovering a towed vehicle can be a hassle.
If your vehicle is towed after parking in a “No Parking” zone or other legitimate reason, there are some steps you can take to get it back.
Steps to follow when your car is towed:
- Try to find out why your car was towed. Haven’t you seen a “No Parking” sign? Did you miss your car payment? Have you returned to a lot where there were unpaid citations? Finding the reason may narrow down the phone numbers to dial.
- Locate the vehicle. Most states, cities, or counties require towing companies to leave some type of contact information via a posted or mailed sign.
- Recovery dates and times depend on the company that towed the vehicle, but these times will be posted on the website or may be provided by a representative.
- Pay the fees. Be careful to be as quick as possible, as some towing yards may charge daily storage fees.
If you believe your vehicle was improperly towed, you can dispute the action by following these steps:
- Be quick – many states have a small window of time in which it is acceptable to file a claim against a company that improperly towed your vehicle.
- Gather supporting documents: photos, emails, receipts, police reports, and witness statements, if applicable. The more evidence, the better.
- Familiarize yourself with local laws, as laws for towing companies vary by state.
- Try talking to the towing company. Sometimes it may have been a simple oversight and the matter can be resolved quickly.
- Contact your local Justice of the Peace as they may have more information or resources to help. They are often used for towing cases.
- Speak to a lawyer. Many lawyers offer free consultations and, depending on the case, it may be worth calling on a lawyer.
Source: Oregon Department of Justice, National General, Rak law firm
“Moral of the story: DON’T PARK ILLEGALLY,” wrote another sarcastic user.
Police officers shared a link allowing drivers to file complaints about fines with the Department of Consumer Protection.
While New Jersey police shared an update with angry residents, other lawmakers set up a task force to remind drivers of the rules.
Recently, a grandmother was furious over an “unfair” parking ticket that cost her $92.
Additionally, one homeowner alleged that the city sent tow trucks after his neighbors during a power outage that lasted several days.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
